“The OSCE mission has been pressing for a chance to visit the journalists for a second day. The authorities in Kiev deny permission,” Russia’s permanent representative at OSCE says

VIENNA, May 21. /ITAR-TASS/. The Ukrainian authorities have refused to let members of the special OSCE observer mission in Ukraine see two detained Russian journalists, Oleg Sidyakin and Marat Saichenko, of the television broadcaster LifeNews, Russia’s permanent representative at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Andrei Kelin has told ITAR-TASS.

“The OSCE mission has been pressing for a chance to visit the journalists for a second day. The authorities in Kiev deny permission,” he said.

“We are pushing ahead with efforts through the OSCE for securing the journalists’ release,” the diplomat said. “Their position is getting worse. We are aware that they are accused of terrorism. Some other preposterous charges are being put forward.”

“Also, we know that British journalist Graham Phillips, who cooperates with the TV channel is under arrest. Diplomats in Kiev are making inquiries about his plight,” Kelin said.